Source: NPD Intelect For more information, contact Tom Edwards at 800 368 8801, x4821.
DVD ñ A Smash Christmas Hit
NPD Intelect Market Tracking indicates sensational Christmas sales results for DVD. Retailers throughout the United States sold 1.1 million of the consumer electronic industry's new technology in the month of December. Since their introduction less than three years ago, DVD-Video players, are now in four million homes across the country. Three million of these happened in 1999! What will happen in 2000? Intelect projects that more than 8-million DVD-Video players will be purchased this year. Early reports from key retailers are that January DVD sales are three to four times larger than comparable sales in 1998 when product shortages had developed. Video tape recorders, introduced in 1975, did not reach the 8-million unit sales level for 12 years. Why has this new technology been embraced by so many, so fast? People purchasing DVD-Video players today are not the ""techies"" or the hobbyists who purchased yesterday's LaserDisc or who purchased big, expensive home theatre systems. DVD-Video players are being bought by everyone and are being connected to larger and better quality televisions to create a family focused entertainment center. With a multichannel surround sound system, the experience of watching a movie at home rivals a visit to the local theatre. In fact, the audio and the video reproduction is probably better that at the movie theatre and the popcorn is cheaper. Many people are upgrading their audio system with a DVD-Video player that holds multiple discs. DVD-Video players can also play audio CDs. Most of the pre-recorded tape rental stores have added an assortment of DVD titles for their customers. The number of movies and other titles available on DVD is over 5,600 with more released daily. In fact, DVD titles are actually reaching the stores and rental shops faster than VHS titles. What can be better than immersing yourself and your family in a warm Disney movie or a thriller like ""The Matrix?""